Employer’s Guide to T Levels Meet the Workforce of the Future Education & Childcare
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Meet the Workforce of the Future ► The New ‘Gold Standard’ Qualification Explained
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Programmes Starting September 2021 ► Construction Design, Surveying & Planning ► Digital Production, Design & Development ► Education & Childcare ► Healthcare ► Healthcare Science
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Education & Childcare T Level
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Designed by Employers for Employers
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Introducing Industry Placements ► The Business Benefits
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Smarter Recruitment ► Support for your Staff ► Support your Local Community
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Guidance ► Safeguarding ► Insurance ► Health & Safety
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College & Employer Expectations
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Get Involved Now!
WELCOME
TO THE BOLTON COLLEGE T LEVEL PROGRAMME Thank you for your interest in offering a T Level industry placement to a student in your workplace. Industry placements give young people studying towards these new ‘Gold Standard’ technical qualifications practical experience directly related to their course, helping prepare them for the world of work. Employers like you are playing a key role in creating opportunities for young people in the local community at the start of their careers to develop their technical and employability skills and build confidence. We are passionate about industry placements because they offer excellent opportunities for both employers and young people.
The longer duration ensures students are given sufficient time to master the essentials and that the employer has the opportunity to mould and foster the student’s technical abilities so they are more likely to add value and make a lasting impact on the business. This document will provide you with information about T Levels and how you can get involved and offer an industry placement to a local student. Kind regards Bill Webster Principal of Bolton College Part of the University of Bolton Group
We appreciate your interest in hosting a student on an industry placement. From our past experience of industry placement schemes, we know that industry placement students bring enthusiasm to learn, a fresh perspective and increase diversity in the workforce.
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Meet the Workforce of the Future Support young talent, shape the workforce of tomorrow and see how industry placements can benefit your business, through the new T Level programmes. T Levels are a new two-year qualification for 16 to 19 year olds. Designed with employers, each T Level is equivalent to three A Levels and will help young people develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace. T Levels are career focused rather than subject based, combining classroom learning with meaningful on-the-job experience, with the inclusion of English, maths and digital skills. At the heart of each programme, a 45-day industry placement, giving you early access to the brightest talent entering your market. T Levels have been developed by the government as part of a long-term solution to ensure that you, as the employer, get the skilled workers you need to prosper.
T Levels – The New ‘Gold Standard’ Qualification Explained In September 2021, Bolton College launches a series of the new ‘Gold Standard’ T Level qualifications for students aged 16 to 19, who’ve finished their GCSEs. T Levels will be the biggest reform to vocational training in a generation, giving young people the skills, knowledge and attitude to excel in their careers. T Levels will be the technical alternative to A Levels
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and will help young people to progress to a skilled job, a higher Apprenticeship or higher level study. They provide:
► A mixture of core theory, concepts and skills, specific to their chosen industry ► Specialist skills and knowledge for an occupation or career ► An industry placement with an employer ► Relevant maths, English and digital skills
T Levels are different to Apprenticeships because there’s lots more classroom study involved – 80% is classroom learning whilst 20% is on-the-job experience with an employer. Those who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*, and will receive a nationally recognised certificate, recognised by UCAS, evidencing their overall grade plus a breakdown of what they’ve learnt.
T Levels - Programmes Starting September 2021 Bolton College will deliver the following T Levels from September 2021: This pathway provides an opportunity for learners to acquire skills in building
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Construction Design, Surveying & Planning
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Digital Production, Design & Development
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Education & Childcare
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Healthcare
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Healthcare Science
Read on to find out more about Construction Design, Surveying & Planning...
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Education & Childcare Passionate, motivated and qualified professionals are always in demand to fill roles as primary school teachers, nursery managers, hospital play specialists and more, making a real difference to a young person’s future. By learning hands-on and in the classroom about the education and childcare sector, and how it works, young people will be ready to take on the world of education and childcare employment, or university, in just two years. This programme provides an opportunity for learners to broaden their options; they’ll cover a variety of topics, giving them the knowledge and skills to go wherever their ambitions take them, whether that’s setting up their own
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nursery, or becoming a primary school teacher. Topics covered include:
► ► ► ►
Behaviour Parents, Families & Carers Child Development Special Educational Needs & Disability
On completion of their programme, learners will have acquired all the skills they need for a very successful future.
Employer Case Study
Willmott Dixon Graham Leigh Senior Manager
Construction is an aging industry and the number of people joining every year simply isn’t enough to meet demand. So as an employer, industry placements are an ideal way of nurturing talent and inspiring young people to make construction their career. Bolton College successfully matched us with Tom who helped us to refurbish The Octagon Theatre and the benefits worked both ways; Tom wasn’t here to just learn, he was also here to help, and the longer placement meant that we could set him weekly tasks, so he always had work to get on with. Tom proved to be hardworking and dedicated and we were very impressed; it wasn’t long before he became a valued and popular member of the team.
Student Case Study
Bolton College Berivane Wallace
Education & Childcare Level 3
My industry placement was so useful; I saw how children interact and communicate with each other and the ways in which they play - it gave me so much to talk about when I applied for university!
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Designed by Employers for Employers Every single industry is gaining new, fast-developing technologies. Creating qualifications by working and consulting with employers and businesses like yourselves, ensures that we can stay on top of the latest industry requirements. It also means that we’re teaching students the exact skills you require for your business. More than 200 businesses have contributed to the creation of T Levels. These employers span a range of industries, and include household names such as Fujitsu, IBM and GlaxoSmithKlein, as well as many, many more.
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Key to the success of the new qualifications is the industry placement. This is where we need your skills and experience to help shape the workforce of the future.
Introducing
Industry Placements Every T Level student completes an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315* hours, equivalent to 45 days. Industry placements give you a unique opportunity to help develop new talent and get young people work ready. They also bring many business benefits.
► Brings greater diversity to your workforce ►
Allows your existing staff to mentor, coach and manage – helping to develop their management skills
*Please note: Health & Social Care and Education & Childcare industry placements will be longer; you will be informed of timescales when you enquire.
► Improves partnerships with education providers, and plays a role in influencing learning pathways to meet the needs of your industry
The Business Benefits Industry placements help your organisation:
► Reaches and develops talented students, with a view to potentially recruiting them before other businesses do
► Brings in fresh perspectives and ideas, along with up-to-date knowledge from learners who are enthusiastic and currently training in your industry
► Prepares the next generation for jobs, Apprenticeships or high level study and training
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Smarter Recruitment Industry placements give you early sight of the new talent coming into your industry. They can help you with recruitment, improve innovation, and increase your organisation’s productivity. They also have important social benefits. A solution for entry-level jobs Industry placements are an ideal solution for entry-level skills. They can help you build a pipeline of talent for junior positions or Apprenticeships. Cost-effective channel for recruitment You can avoid many of the costs associated with recruitment by working with us to connect with young people who are deciding on their careers. Develop young people into your industry Placements give you a chance to work alongside the next generation of workers entering your industry, making sure they develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to succeed. Support for Your Staff ► Better management and mentoring skills Placements create opportunities for staff to act as buddies, coaches or line managers to students. This helps existing staff gain management and mentorship skills, both of which are known to increase job satisfaction. ► A fresh perspective For smaller employers, young people can be an invaluable source of new and interesting ideas that can change the way you think about doing business. ► Extra help with projects In an environment where staff are doing multiple roles and struggling to meet difficult deadlines, an industry placement student could help support a key piece of work. 10
Support Your Local Community ► Improved diversity Industry placements create opportunities for a diverse range of 16 to 19 year olds. Diversity helps your organisation understand customers better, creates better performing teams and increases innovation and creativity.
► Offer opportunities for employers and creates a shared social value in your community
Traditionally, organisations have supported social causes by making charitable donations. Industry placements are different in that they help create ‘shared value’. They’re a way of giving back, benefiting the young people in your community as well as your business. ► Enhanced brand image and profile A commitment to industry placements raises your organisation’s profile, locally and nationally, especially as T Levels gain more public exposure with your customers and clients.
Industry Placements
Frequently Asked Questions Industry placements are a great way to bring new talent into your organisation. We can help you:
► Find the right student ► Assist with paperwork ► Plan and deliver the best possible placement
See some frequently asked questions about industry placements below: What are the costs of an industry placement? An industry placement is an efficient way to bring in new talent and develop the skills you need as an employer. Apart from the financial cost of managing a student, industry placements should cost you very little. There is no legal requirement or expectation that students will be paid, as it is part of a course. However, you can pay students if you wish.
► Tutor Support – students will receive support and guidance from their course tutor, who will also help them to learn specific skills and knowledge, which they can implement in the workplace What is the time commitment? An industry placement lasts for a minimum of 315* hours, which is approximately 45 days. Designed to be flexible, placements might be delivered as blocks of days or regular days each week, depending on the learning plan for the course. You can even choose to split a placement with another employer to reduce the time even further. Is there any financial support? The College may be able to help with upfront costs, such as providing protective gear, DBS checks, specialist equipment etc. You should discuss this when you enquire as funding may be available.
How much work is involved? Bolton College will support you and stay in touch regularly in the delivery of your industry placement, ensuring that everything is working well for you and the young person. You will have access to: ► Careers Coach – who will work with the student daily to help them learn specific tasks and activities in the workplace in ways they can understand. The Careers Coach will also regularly check in with you and track students’ performance and progress. This includes carrying out mid and end point reviews which are recorded on the College’s Work Experience Portal. *Please note: Health & Social Care and Education & Childcare industry placements will be longer; you will be informed of timescales when you enquire.
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What are my responsibilities? The College has produced a T Level Charter; this outlines the responsibilities of the employer and the College in delivering the T Level qualification and industry placement. Further details can be found on page 18 and 19 of this guide.
Are industry placements available in other subject areas? Over the next few years, T Levels will scale to include 25 courses, covering a range of skill areas. Bolton College delivers T Levels from September 2021 in the areas of Construction, Healthcare, Healthcare Science, Digital and Education & Childcare, but employers can trial industry placements now with students on a range of programmes. Check what skills are available at Bolton College...
Applied Science Art, Design & Digital Media - Barbering - Beauty Therapy Business & Professional Services Early Years, Childcare & Education - Computing, Digital & IT Construction including Brickwork, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Painting & Decorating, Plastering, Plumbing and Professional Building Engineering - Event, Hospitality & Catering Management Hairdressing - Health & Social Care - Motor Vehicle Performing Arts - Public Services Sport, Fitness & Wellbeing Travel & Tourism
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SAFEGUARDING GUIDANCE Safeguarding is about protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect. The general position is that education providers are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students on industry placements, as they form part of the study programme for which they are responsible. As above, education providers will check the existence of your policies and procedures to ensure a safe and proper environment for their student, may carry out a site visit before the placement and will be in regular contact with you and the student throughout the placement. The principle is to keep checks and monitoring simple and proportionate for both employers and education providers.
Adults working with young people (under 18) must be aware of potentially difficult situations. See the separate Health & Safety, Insurance and Safeguarding Guidance for more detailed information on safeguarding. DBS Checks Employers do not generally need to carry out a basic, standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check on members of staff supervising young people aged 16 or 17. This includes freelancers. However, where a student has a need for personal or health care due to a disability, the person providing that personal or health care may be required to obtain an enhanced DBS check.
An education provider may also choose to ask a line manager or supervisor to undergo a basic It is important that you: DBS check if they feel this is necessary, in ► Provide a safe and welcoming learning situations such as: environment for all students ► Where the student may be vulnerable
► Have a zero tolerance policy of bullying and harassment
► Report all incidents to the education provider ► Are alert to the possibility of abuse
(special needs, someone who has been in looked after care)
► Where the student is likely to be regularly alone with the adult as part of their work
► Where the placement has a residential component
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This is not a legal requirement but can be requested at the discretion of the education provider. A student may need to have an enhanced DBS check before starting an industry placement in certain sectors, for example a placement in the Healthcare and Early Years Sector where you would need to check that the student is not barred from regulated activity relating to children. While this seems very unlikely to be the case, an individual can be automatically added to the barred list (either with or without representations) upon conviction for certain offences. Prevent Duty This concerns the duty of education or training providers to prevent their students being drawn into terrorism and remains the education provider’s responsibility during the industry placement. Education providers will expect you to assist with their duty to comply by being alive to the risk and reporting any concerns to them. Further Information & Guidance ► Disclosure and Barring Service www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/disclosure-andbarring-service ► NSPCC provides tips on how to write or improve your internal guidance as well as a downloadable model Safeguarding Policy https://learning. nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-childprotection/writing-a-safeguardingpolicy-statement If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information provided, please do not hesitate to contact your industry placement contact.
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INSURANCE GUIDANCE If your industry placement student is doing work that sits within your normal business practice, and you already have up-to-date Employer’s Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance, then you should not need additional cover.
Because your student will be working for you for longer than a two-week period, you will need to notify your insurer about their employment. If you don’t already have Employer’s Liability Insurance (ELI), please consult the flowchart below.
If you are unsure as to whether the work they are undertaking counts as ‘normal business practice’, then we would recommend talking to your insurance company.
S
Do you have existing Employer’s Liability Insurance (ELI)?
YE
Please notify your insurer of the learner.
You do not need to buy additional cover.
NO
S YE
Are you taking on a learner who is a member of your family?
NO
You do not need ELI.
You are required to acquire ELI.
The risks of taking on an industry placement student are the same as taking on any other employee. If you require further information or guidance on insurance, please see Health & Safety Executive guidance and talk to your own insurance company.
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HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDANCE As an employer, it is your responsibility to stay up to date with Health & Safety legislation. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on work experience covers education provider and employer responsibilities and is relevant to industry placements. Education providers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the HSE guidance which can be accessed here: www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/ index.htm.
is discriminatory and providing reasonable adjustments for disabilities (see above).
You and the education provider have a shared duty of care for the student. With respect to Health & Safety in the workplace, the duty of care rests primarily with the employer although checks will be made by the education provider as part of their safeguarding duties.
Not all companies will need to complete a new risk assessment when a student joins the organisation. Consult the flowchart below if you are unsure about what to do.
You will need to adhere to your legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 (as you would anyway) including not using language or behaviour in a manner which
ES
Y
Do you already employ young people (under 18)?
Do you have more than five employees?
By law, you are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment, completing an adequate risk assessment, providing appropriate training and ensuring that the student receives an adequate induction to the Health & Safety aspects of your workplace. Risk Assessment
S
YE
NO
NO
S
YE
Do you operate in a high-risk environment?
NO
Nothing Additional Needed: You should have a risk assessment already, review it with the learner in mind before they start. No Risk Assessment Needed: You are not required to have a written risk assessment. Need to consider specific factors that must be managed for young people (refer to section below). Nothing Additional Needed: Use your existing arrangements for assessments and management of risks to young people. Make Arrangements to Manage Risk: Apply to instruction, training and supervisory arrangements.
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Induction A standard workplace Health & Safety induction might include the following:
► Name and location of person responsible for Health & Safety
► Name and location of person responsible for first aid
► Location of first aid box and accident book
► Correct and safe use of any new equipment relevant to placement
► Explanation of student’s responsibilities in case of emergency ► Location of fire exits and fire procedures
► Explanation of particular work-based hazards
► Consequences of breaching Health & Safety regulations ► Procedure for reporting accidents
piece of machinery, before providing them with training. For further and more specific information about working in high-risk environments, please consult the HSE guidance. www.hse.gov.uk/guidance/topics.htm Accident Reporting Procedure If there is any kind of accident in the workplace, employers are required by law to act swiftly, and to record the incident in an accident book. If the incident was severe in nature or involved injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences, employers are legally required to report it via RIDDOR. www.hse.gov.uk/riddor If the student is involved in an accident, the employer must inform the education provider. Depending on the incident, someone from the provider may wish to visit the workplace to find out more details about what happened.
► Procedure for reporting hazards High-Risk Environments If the employer’s organisation is involved in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, or the workplace has exposure to radiation, noise and vibration, toxic substances or extreme temperatures, it will be considered a ‘high-risk environment’. If this is the case, there should already be control measures in place for mitigating risks to employees. Employers may however want to consider whether they need to do anything further to control the risks for young people - perhaps involving dedicated supervision. If the company uses heavy or dangerous machinery, full training and supervision should be given to the student before they start using it. Also bear in mind that for some equipment and machinery (such as forklift trucks and some woodworking machinery), there is a minimum legal age limit for operating. Employers should check that the student is old enough to use a 17
College & Employer Expectations for Student Industry Placements on Education & Childcare T Level Prior to a student starting an industry placement and during the time of the placement the College will: Ensure students have completed Bolton Council’s ‘Level 1 Safeguarding Children’ training. Ensure students have completed ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ training. Ensure students have completed ‘How to Prevent the Spread of Infection’ training. Ensure students understand professional values in the early years sector. Ensure students are aware of personal presentation when working with children. Support students in their application for a DBS. Provide students with tasks to complete in setting in support of meeting skills competency criteria as per the qualification requirements. Contact the setting regularly throughout the year to work in partnership with employers and monitor the skills and behaviours of students. Visit the setting on occasions to carry out observations of the student/s in practice in early years settings. Share information, advice and guidance on CPD opportunities from the awarding body, e.g. Cache Alumni, Careers Toolkit, Keep Your Cool Tool Box.
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College & Employer Expectations for Student Industry Placements on Education & Childcare T Level To provide a placement for Education & Childcare students studying towards qualifications that require occupational competencies employers will: Provide a minimum of two days a week where the student/students can attend the setting in line with their timetabled college sessions. Allow the student/students to attend block placement weeks to provide them with an insight of a full working week in the early years sector - dates provided by the College. Complete a full induction with reference to the setting’s policies and procedures, routines, and management team. Allow students to participate in activities with both staff and children to enable them to meet competency criteria as per the qualification requirements. Complete witness statements and observations of the student’s practice in setting with children from birth – 5 years. These will then be assessed by course tutors. Liaise with course tutors to update them on the progress the student is making in setting. Allow the student to plan and implement activities in line with the EYFS framework with support from employed staff. Allow the student to observe children in line with the EYFS framework and support them in assessing learning and development and devising next steps (OAP Cycle) with support from employed staff. Include students in supervisions processes where possible, to provide them with experiences of monitoring their own practice overseen by a manager. Allow the student to attend team meetings where possible. Include the student in CPD opportunities where possible. Allow the student to share information with parents, e.g. how a child has been throughout the day, complete daily diaries etc., supervised by employed staff. Allow the student time during their industry placement hours to complete reflective accounts and work products as part of their portfolio to evidence skills competency criteria. These activities will not include children’s names or images. Ensure the student/students are valued and feel part of the team, where they feel safe and secure to ask questions, observe others and use this opportunity to become outstanding practitioners in the future as part of the early years workforce.
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Get Involved Now! In preparation for T Levels, more than 2,000 employers are working with local colleges and schools to offer industry placements to students studying vocational courses. From Digital to Construction, Health & Social Care and Childcare, industry placements can help your organisation find and develop new talent. If your organisation is looking for talent in any of these areas, and can offer support and mentoring to a young person, you can start offering industry placements now. These skill areas don’t need to be the primary focus of your business; some of them, like Business and Administration or Computing and IT, will apply to everyone.
Please contact the Business Development Team on 01204 482 036 or email business@boltoncc.ac.uk
